Wednesday, December 2, 2015

5 Ways to Show You Care This Christmas

Christmas isn't just about giving and receiving presents and eating and drinking to excess. It's also about showing care and concern for others. Here are five ways to show you care this Christmas.

Offer Your Help

Does someone you know need help either in the run-up to Christmas or during the holiday? If so, offer your assistance. Perhaps a single parent you know would like you to babysit while he or she goes Christmas shopping or to a Christmas party. Perhaps an elderly neighbor would be grateful if you did their grocery shopping during snowy or icy weather. Look around you and see where you can offer your help to others this Christmas.

Volunteer

Many charities are looking for extra volunteers at Christmas. In particular, homeless charities and charities for the elderly need help with preparing and serving Christmas meals. Even if you have just a few hours to spare, your help could make a difference in someone's life this Christmas by showing them that you care.

Donate

If you're unable to volunteer, you can still donate to the charities of your choice. Many charities have special Christmas appeals. As well as money, you can donate gifts or food. The Salvation Army in the UK, for example, is looking for Christmas gifts for children and adults that it can distribute to people in need in your local area. When doing your Christmas grocery shopping, buy a little extra and donate it to your local food bank. It could help a local family to enjoy Christmas despite their financial difficulties.

Send a Christmas Card

Send a Christmas card with a cheery personal note to someone you know is going through a tough time. It will make their day! Reconnect with someone you haven't heard from in a long time by sending them a Christmas card. Show friends and relatives living overseas that you are still thinking of them by sending a card.

Give Christmas cards to tradespeople and small business owners to show your continuing support for their businesses. If possible, deliver the cards personally so that you can have a friendly chat at the same time.

Give Personalized Vouchers or Pledges

Vouchers or pledges give the recipient various gifts involving your time and attention on a date of their choice. Make your own personalized vouchers or print them using templates found online.

You could, for example, give a voucher for breakfast in bed to your partner, a pledge promising a sleepover to your child, or a voucher for a home-cooked meal to your friend. Be inventive and see what you can come up with.

Make a Difference by Showing You Care

Look past the commercialization of Christmas and look for ways to show other people you care this year. Gifts of your time and help will be gratefully received and you may even make a huge difference to another person's life this Christmas, if you show them that someone cares.